Birthday Celebrations & Biker Bars

I can't believe the holiday weekend is over already.  I hope that everyone had a wonderful 4th of July and stopped to remember what this holiday is all about - America's birthday.  Happy Birthday America.  A lot of people have given their lives so we can live in freedom and I for one am very grateful. 

I can't say that I am a fan of fireworks and frankly, I wish only professionals were aloud to shoot them...however, I do enjoy watching the fireworks from Washington, DC every year.  It's really the only time I get to hear all of my favorite patriotic marching songs to include Stars & Stripes Forever, Yankee Doodle etc.  Maybe it is weird that I enjoy hearing those songs but nothing beats watching the Armed Forces shoot off a bunch of cannons during the 1812 Overture.  I wonder why our high school marching band never played that song.  I'm sure there were plenty of guys that would have loved to fire a cannon. 

After church on the 4th, mom & dad grilled hamburgers.  Later that night, Scott grilled chicken.  It wasn't really a diet friendly holiday around our house. 

That brings me to today.  I went to lunch with my good friends Sandra & Christy.  They asked me to pick the restaurant so naturally, I picked a biker bar.  We went to Mac's Speed Shop in South End.  I picked Mac's because it is repeatedly mentioned on urbanspoon.com as the best BBQ in our city and one of the top 3 "cheap" restaurants in town.  I think the reviewers on urbanspoon might just be right.  The atmosphere was really interesting and the food was pretty awesome.  Thankfully, Mac's has ample parking because this restaurant was slammed.  Here's a picture I took in the parking lot. 

Finally, after "pigging" out, we decided to do a little shopping. 

I had just gotten home when my brother called and asked me if he could borrow my old truck to take Sophie to the vet.  Then he asked me if I would go along as well.  So....

Poor Sophie...she's not a big fan of riding in a car.  

Sophie's vet suspects that she may have a thyroid problem.  I wouldn't be surprised if she does.  She would fit right in as my mom, me, & my cat (Greta) all have broken thyroids. Well, if she does, we'll know what to do about it!

Tomorrow it's back to work for Julie.